Bob Greco: We lost our discipline'

As he spoke, the veteran Green Wave coach was alternately angry and sad, yet chiefly disappointed in his players following Saturday's post-game fight at the Danbury Ice Arena.

As the result of a fracas involving nearly the entire New Fairfield team and many of the Green Wave players, NMHS was scheduled to play its opening state tournament match Wednesday after press time minus four players handed automatic suspensions for their part in the altercation.

Junior forwards John Brodski and Kevin Crossen, both key offensive players, and defensive stalwarts Tyler Gravely, a senior, and his brother, Marshall Gravely, a sophomore, would be able to return to action for the state quarterfinals should NMHS have won Wednesday.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock Saturday and the game's final 4-2 score assured, Marshall Gravely reportedly delivered a hard check to a New Fairfield player. Seemingly on cue as the buzzer sounded, the Rebels' bench cleared and headed along with both teams' on-ice players for the fray.

The event was culmination of what coach Greco admitted were bad feelings brewing between the two teams this winter.

"We told [our players] not to be selfish, to be focused," said coach Greco.

Both Gravelys and Crossen were suspended for their roles in the fight and Brodski, who'd been serving a major penalty, earned his suspension for leaving the penalty box.

"We were wrong," shrugged coach Greco. "Before each practice and each game, we [talk about] our [chief] goals, and number one is always discipline."